Sher Shah Suri

c. 1472 – 22 May 1545

Sher Shah Suri was an Afghan ruler who defeated the Mughal emperor Humayun and founded the Sur Empire in northern India, reigning from 1540 to 1545. A brilliant administrator, he introduced the rupiya coinage, reorganized land revenue, and rebuilt the Grand Trunk Road. His reforms later served as a model for Mughal administration under Akbar.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Sher Shah Suri.

Life events

Born as Farid Khan
c. 1472

Sher Shah was born as Farid Khan into an Afghan family of the Sur tribe; his birth year and birthplace are disputed, with Sasaram in Bihar among the traditional claims.

Birth ?
Administered his father's jagir of Sasaram
c. 1500

As a young man Farid Khan managed his father's estate at Sasaram in Bihar, where he gained a reputation for able revenue administration.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned the title Sher Khan
c. 1520

According to tradition, Farid Khan received the title Sher Khan ('Tiger Lord') after killing a tiger single-handedly in the service of the ruler of Bihar.

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Served briefly in Babur's Mughal camp
c. 1527

Sher Khan spent time in the service of the Mughal emperor Babur before returning to Bihar to build his own power.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became de facto ruler of Bihar
c. 1530

As regent and guardian of the young Lohani king, Sher Khan gradually assumed effective control of Bihar and built a strong Afghan following.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Defeated Humayun at the Battle of Chausa
26 June 1539

On 26 June 1539 Sher Khan routed the Mughal emperor Humayun's army at Chausa on the Ganges and assumed the royal title Sher Shah.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Won the Battle of Kannauj and took Delhi
17 May 1540

On 17 May 1540 Sher Shah defeated Humayun again at Kannauj, driving him from India and establishing the Sur Empire over northern India.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Instituted administrative and economic reforms
c. 1542

As emperor, Sher Shah introduced the silver rupiya, reformed land revenue assessment, built sarais, and rebuilt the Grand Trunk Road from Bengal toward the northwest.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at the siege of Kalinjar
22 May 1545

Sher Shah was fatally injured by a gunpowder explosion during the siege of Kalinjar fort and died on 22 May 1545; he was buried in his grand tomb at Sasaram.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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